FOUR WHEEL CAMPER (FWC) THREAD!!

The Deavers were purchased last year. They might have been a bit more. What I do remember is that they were only $200 more than Dobinsons.

the axle broke because the air bags put too much of the weight onto the axle itself instead of the leaf spring. I never saw it. My shop manager told me the story. He’s responsible for our equipment

 

Ahh, Ok. They're about $300 more than Dobinson's now, but Dobinson's are $660 now (800-1200lbs), OME heavy (660lbs+) are ~$530 and Deavers are $994 (700-1000 lbs) I'm assuming custom Deavers would be even more than the $994 stage III springs.

Regarding the air bags, I can see instances in other designs where this could happen. I think having a false sense of security from air bags is dangerous. I think the firestones mount in a good spot that puts the load in the best/strongest place, but I agree it's better to share it with more points than less. I read an article from the link @Crikeymike posted and towing and/or severely overloading the vehicle seemed to be the common denominator. Airbags have a way of giving you a false sense of security in those situations since you can easily level the ride by adjusting air pressure and ignore the additional stresses induced.

 

i read it as well. Pretty amazing how they designed the double cab trucks with the rear axle basically at the back edge of the cab - all of the bed payload is entirely over only the rear axle. I now understand why people in Australia are stretching the frame to put the rear axle closer to the middle of the bed

 

would still love to hear more about suspension experiences. I think I'm leaning more toward the remote reservoir Dobinsons

PS: just subscribed to the @Round the world blog...looks like an amazing trip in the works there!

 

I just went through this. Started out with timbren bumpstops, after one trip knew that was not enough. Did the deaver rear leafs, Firestone remote adjustable bags, and 5100s up front to level it out as the rear upgrades added a few inches and it made sleeping uncomfortable. Love the ride now.

 

@pdxptw Which Deavers did you use? Do you still have the stock shocks on the back? What pressure do you run the bags at?

Also, how do you use the vehicle, any rock crawling or long washboard roads?

Is it driveable without a camper in the bed?

 

Just getting back from a Sierra trip with the Torque airbags set at 30 psi, Dobinson 110 leaf springs, custom u-bolt flip plate with Durobumps helping the airbags. Remote MRA Dobinson shocks/coil over with the 352 coils. Extras including Archive hammer hangers, Marlin cam tab gussets, and Total Chaos spindle gussets. Fully loaded with a Northstar camper, with full armor, this setup performed flawless. Mod list here.











Any chance you guys have a link to said article @Crikeymike posted? Thanks!

 

You're right about that for sure.

 

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...AhWpITQIHXkWDoAQ7Al6BAgNEFk&biw=2686&bih=1278

It was a link to photos, but you can choose one and follow to an article like this:

https://mr4x4.com.au/what-and-where-causes-a-bent-chassis/

Also, you use Dobinsons 110 and only 20 psi in the airbags? Why did you choose their lightest spring option and have you had your truck weighed by chance?

 

Never too long for me. I'm a huge LB advocate. I don't understand buying a pickup truck but chopping off part of the thing that makes it a pickup.

But yeah, between the DCLB, the front bumper that makes the truck even longer, and now the rear swing out and 35" tire back on the truck ( @tsrhines ) , my truck is longer than most Tacomas. Never had an issue parking or wheeling due to the length. And I've made plenty of use of the bed (before the camper) that a SB wouldn't have been able to.

I also just made a video of the camper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFiL7V6AiSw

And here's a newer photo with the rear swing out on it again:

 

Thinking of going from an Access Cab to a DCLB and putting on a base Fleet - with no window on the drivers side. We will be following your build.

 

Not mine, but a nice 2020 Fleet UTE for sale over here: https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20740-2020-four-wheel-camper-fleet-ute-for-sale/

https://www.basillynch.com/walle

By the way, I have a friend who is looking for a FWC if anyone is thinking about selling. West coast. Thanks!

 

Dang! Hope they get close to their asking. Looks like it’s been lived in full time for 6 months. That’s more than I paid for my loaded up 2019 fleet flatbed

 

Hope everyone is doing well! I have a must do for all FWCampers with internal bed mounts!!!



Think of adding some safety feature in the prevention of loosing your camper under harsh environs....

my first attempt and I may upgrade to d-rings in the near future

these weak steel turnbuckles have been a constant battle for the last four years... A different turnbuckle is in the works and will post when I get it all ironed out. A more robust one dropped forged and clevis pins at the ends, typically used in rigging

 

Whatever happened to just adding air shocks to hold up a camper? Probably a naive question but just curious as to why not?

 

If your just getting a shell and not packing for extended trips you might get away with it... but it’s safer to match suspension to your weight

 

This seems like a great idea. I'm guessing it's a back up in case the turn buckles fail. But also this

my turn buckles are aluminum not sure I've ever seen steel? Just curious as to the comment.

 

Those look like the OEM aluminum. It's definitely a backup in case of failure, and a damn good idea.

 

A lot of applications for turnbuckles, even all stainless in food production and sailing rigs

edit:
stock turnbuckles have steel hooks and a aluminum turnbuckle

 

Agreed just the ones that came with my camper and the ones in the pics definitely look aluminum. Just an observation though. But it's a great idea none the less. I've always thought of mine flying off the back of the truck.